School Uniforms 

The following is from Dr. Title's Blog

 

Well, today's article about our adopting school uniforms has garnered its share of attention!  (You can read the article here from today's Hartford Courant.)  A few observations:

 

1. The article today was a very good summary of the new dress code and the parents' feelings about it.  Parents were overwhelming in favor of it and only three parents spoke at the Board meeting, all in favor of it.  The reporter did not feel obligated to find a parent or two (and I'm sure they are out there) who questioned the school uniform policy and give them "equal time" in the article.  Our surveys indicated that parents favored this policy by a wide margin but nothing is ever unanimous.
2. Another interesting thing is that the article ran not just in the Hartford region section of the paper, but also appeared in the Farmington Valley region, which normally does not include news from Bloomfield.  This indicates that the story had more than just local interest.  I doubt it ran state-wide.  I'm intrigued that the story carried such interest, as we are hardly the first district to implement such a policy.
3. I received an interesting phone call from Channel 30.  They were "following up on the story" and asked me if I thought the Courant's story was accurate.  I said "yes" and had a lovely conversation with someone from the station.  I don't know if the question was along the lines of, "I can't believe this is really happening.  Is it for real?"  or along the lines of, "did the Courant get it right?"  Anyway, I found it odd.  Maybe even those in the news media don't always believe what they read.
4. This policy change is a great example of parent involvement in schools.  After several years of a voluntary uniform policy at the elementary schools, parents approached us about making it mandatory.  The long and short of is this:  here is a school board and school administration listening to what parents want.

 

For those of you really interested in this topic, here is the policy in its entirety.  The bold type indicates changes from the previous dress code policy.  The regular type indicates existing language.  You'll notice we also tightened up some dress code language that applies also to high school students.  That was a small part of the revision that has been omitted from most reports (probably because it's a small part!).

 

STUDENT DRESS

The Bloomfield Board of Education believes that reasonable regulation of student attire in the schools furthers important educational interests.  Accordingly, the Board has established a dress code for all students enrolled in the Bloomfield Public Schools.

GRADES K-8

Commencing with the 2008-2009 school year, uniforms will be mandatory for all students enrolled in the Bloomfield Public Schools in kindergarten up to and including grade 8.  The designated uniform shall be as follows:

•a.     Tops:  Short- or long-sleeved collared (polo) shirts in either white or the designated color for the individual school the student attends.  Shirts must be tucked into skirts or pants.  Shirts with each school's logo may be purchased through the school, but shall not be required.

•b.     Bottoms: 

•i)                For boys and girls:  casual or dress pants sized to fit the student, of twill or corduroy, in solid khaki, navy or black only.  All other types of pants, including but not limited to jeans, overalls, sweatpants, velour or other athletic pants, and tight fitting or sagging pants, are not permitted.  From May through the end of October, students may wear shorts sized to fit the student, of twill or corduroy, in solid khaki, navy or black only. 

•ii)               For girls:  skirts or jumpers that are not more than 3" above the middle of the knee (front and back), sized to fit the student, of twill or corduroy, in solid khaki, navy or black only, may be worn.  Tight fitting skirts and/or jumpers are not permitted.

•c.      Footwear:  Dress shoes, sneakers or low cut boots only.  Open toed shoes are not permitted.

•d.     Sweaters:  Khaki, navy, black or school colors.  No sweatshirts.

•e.     Exceptions for Physical Education classes and recess will be addressed in the student handbook by each school.

GRADES K-12

In order to maintain an environment conducive to the educational process, the Board of Education prohibits the following from wear during the academic school day at all schools:

a.   Coats, jackets or other attire normally worn as outerwear.  Outerwear includes: coats, jackets, windbreakers, nylon pullovers, down vests, and other clothing the administra­tion deems inappropriate.  Clothing or outer wear shall not be worn, carried or kept in the classroom during regular school hours.

b.   Head coverings of any kind, including but not limited to scarves, bandanas, masks, headbands, visors, kerchiefs, athletic sweatbands, hats, caps or hoods. Approved coverings worn as part of a student's religious practice or belief shall not be prohibited under this policy.  Head coverings shall not be worn, carried, hung on belts or around the neck or kept in the classroom during regular school hours.

c.   Items a. and b. above, must be secured in the student's locker before school starts.  Items not stored will be confiscated by Principal. 

d.   Footwear which mars floors or is a safety hazard.

e.   Sunglasses, whether worn or carried.

f.    "Name" or other oversized metal belt buckles and all metal belts or combination of metal and leather belts.

 g.   Spiked or studded bracelets, chains, chain wallets, oversized or multi-finger rings, belts or any other article of attire with spikes or studs attached, or any other clothing item that may present a safety hazard to the student, other students or staff.

h.   Attire or accessories which contain overly offensive or disruptive writing or pictures likely to unduly disrupt the educational environment, or which constitute "fighting words."

i.    Attire or accessories which depict logo or emblems that encourage the use of drugs, tobacco products, or alcoholic beverages.

j.    Shirts and/or blouses which reveal the abdomen, chest, or undergarments.

k.   See-through clothing, tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

l.    Shorts, miniskirts, or pants which reveal the upper thigh or undergarments. Spandex garments are allowed only if they are covered by shorts or skirts.

 •m.    Pants that do not remain at the hips or above at all times. 

 •n.     Pants and shirts that are not properly sized.

 •o.     Backpacks and/or book bags are permitted to be carried between classes, but shall not obstruct safe passage in the classroom or in the corridors.

 •p.     Pajama pants/nightwear.

Compliance

Students who fail to comply with Board policy and regulations concerning student dress will be subject to school discipline up to and including expulsion in accordance with the Board's policy on student discipline.